Keywords: hearing loss, child, audiometry, evoked response

Abstract: The etiology of deafness was studied by Braintem Evoked Response Audiometry in six month to twelve-year old children with speech disorders who could nod not be evaluated by conventional methods. This examination permits an early diagnosis of deafness in the pre-linguistic phase; this is very important since hearing affects cognitive development and consequently verbal comunication. Knowing the etiology of hearing loss is important for the treatment of the disease, likewise, for the educational and preventive objects. The persons responsible for the children were interviewed for the investigation of antecedents related to deafness. The results indicate that maternal rubella and miningitis were the most frequent causes of deafness and were predominant factors in profound and bilateral deafness suggesting the severity of their effects and need for prevention; there was a high incidence of udemifiable causes; a small percentage of post-ototoxic deafness and; a predominance of profound bilateral deafness.